Blackhat Reunion, 2015

U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules
dropping green parachutes

 "Jumpers ... Hit it! Check canopy!"
--Sergeants Airborne (Black Hats)

We anti-violent. Anyone says different,
I'll bust a cap in their ass. 
--Fear of a Black Hat (1993)
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PSA:

The annual meeting of Airborne Instructors, past and present, will take place in Columbus, Georgia on October 2nd and 3rd. Historically, the group meets the first Friday and Saturday in October. Informally they call themselves "The Old Airborne Instructors Group," but the meetings draw a mixed bag. This is truly an historic gathering.

Friday night is a cash bar at 17:30 hours, and Saturday is a covered dish lunch, 11:30 until 1300 hours; bring a dish or dessert to share. Both events take place at the American Legion, 3361 North Lumpkin Road. Attire is casual.

All former instructors and former students are invited. Last year a 94 year-old trooper attended, and World War II instructors have also attended. The Triple Nickels (555th Parachute Infantry Battalion), the first all-black Airborne Battalion in WW II, are also well-represented. They are as historic as the Tuskegee Airmen, though less well-known to the general public.

Point of Contact is Cary Rutland, 706-587-5543; email: crutland173@charter.net.

Hope to see you there.

Stand in the Door

Old Airborne Instructor's Reunion,
Ft. Benning, GA (10/09)

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The Old Airborne Instructor's gathering is the only annual reunion Ranger attends, and it is nice to see old friends and acquaintances.

The top row (and the bottom, right) shows Master Sergeant Les George (and, yes -- that's one beer in each hand, and one in the feed tray.) Les hasn't changed a bit -- he still drinks in bursts, which keeps him from overheating.

2nd Lieutenant Hruska and Sergeant First Class George met in 1968 during jump training. We later served together and I'd like to say, became friends. Les, like CSM Lowell Jergens (with him in the bottom right photo), is an Airborne original, not to be duplicated anytime soon.

The left bottom picture shows Les intimately involving Lisa in a Jumpmaster briefing, perhaps the reason she enjoyed attending the reunion. too.

In my prime I could run with the best, but these "older" soldiers always impressed me with their stamina and physical abilities. To me, it seemed they could run all day and night. A truly amazing lot.

All of these old soldiers are inspirations and fond reminder of times past. We owe them much.